Ecuador is one of the world's great overlooked deep-sea-fishing destinations. The ocean is remarkably rich in marine life thanks to the Humboldt current, which pulls nutrients off the ocean bottom through a process called upwelling, keeping the water full of plankton. A vibrant food chain ends in massive marlins, sailfish, sharks, and whales. The country has few sport-fishing operators, but their catch logs are as impressive as those of charter boats in the Caribbean, Mexico, or Costa Rica. The Galápagos archipelago and Pacific coastal waters hold abundant Pacific sailfish, tuna, wahoo, mahimahi, and blue, black, and striped marlin.
The calmest conditions are from December to May, but the fishing stays good from June to November, when it can be chilly in the Galápagos. Temperatures are more consistently tropical along the coast, where marlin and sailfish abound, especially around Isla de la Plata. Ecuador's excellent angling is complemented by a usually pleasant climate, nice beaches, and natural wonders, making the country one of sport fishing's best-kept secrets.
Sport-Fishing Charters
Art Marina (tel. 305/663-3553 in the U.S.; www.artmarina.com), a Miami-based company, offers Galápagos sport-fishing packages that include 3 days of fishing, 5 nights in hotels, and the flight to Galápagos from Guayaquil for around $3,000 to $4,500 (£1,650-£2,475), depending on the group size.
The Blue Marlin Lodge (tel. 09/9460-907; www.bluemarlinmanta.com), in the port of Manta, specializes in daily fishing charters in the rich coastal waters around Isla de la Plata, dubbed the "marlin boulevard" for its abundant billfish. Charters on their 11m (36-ft.) Hatteras cost $1,000 (£550) for up to five people. The "lodge" in their name is misleading, but they will arrange first-class hotel accommodations in Manta for you.
Machalilla Tours (tel. 05/2300-234 or 09/6109-185; machalillatours@yahoo.com) are the folks to contact for sport fishing out of Puerto López, and along the Manabí coast.
Magellan Offshore Fishing Tours (tel. 877/426-3347 in the U.S. and Canada; www.magellanoffshore.com), of Miami, offers sport-fishing packages in the rich coastal waters of Manta and around Isla de la Plata from a base at the beach town of Salinas. Fishing is from 11m (36-ft.) and 14m (46-ft.) yachts.
Pesca Tours (tel. 04/2443-365; www.pescatours.com.ec) offers sport-fishing charters out of the beach town of Salinas.
